Notorious bikie Jimmy O'Brien put in solitary confinement

NOTORIOUS Rockhampton bikie Jimmy O’Brien who’s serving serious time in prison, has been put into solitary confinement “just because he’s a bikie"

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NOTORIOUS Rockhampton bikie Jimmy O'Brien who's serving serious time in prison, has been put into solitary confinement "just because he's a bikie", his lawyer says.

James Thomas O'Brien is serving his 14 year sentence at the Capricornia Correctional Centre, after being convicted of trafficking dangerous drugs in 2008.

His lawyer, Doug Winning, told The Morning Bulletin, O'Brien had been a model prisoner over the years, and didn't deserve this treatment.

"He was previously at Woodford (Correction Centre) and was a model prisoner, helping them with servicing motors and machinery," he said.

Mr Winning said O'Brien, a life member of the Rebels Motorcycle Club, was now at the Capricornia Correction Centre; but had recently been locked up 24 hours a day because of the new anti-bikie laws.

The Queensland anti-bikie laws were introduced by the Newman government last month.

"Since these bikie laws came in, he's been permanently put in lock down for no other reason than he is a convicted bikie," Mr Winning said.

"There's been no prison disciplinary breaches.

"He's an example and he's simply been given that treatment because he's a bikie," he said.

Mr Winning said putting O'Brien in solitary confinement was "a clear attack designed to degrade the man".

"You can take away a man's liberty for wrongful acts, but you shouldn't be able to take away his dignity.

"He's a model prisoner and shouldn't be punished additionally just because he's a bikie," he said.

The Bulletin contacted the Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie's office on the matter. A spokesperson said: "Queensland Corrective Services does not comment on security classifications or operational matters relating to individual offenders."

Originally published as Notorious bikie Jimmy O'Brien put in solitary confinement